will be able to

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jasonlu
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will be able to

Post by jasonlu »

"If you get bored tomorrow night, you'll be able to play video games"

I think "will be able to" makes this sentence sound awkward, but some native speakers told me that it was 100% natural.

I think it sounds like I will gain the ability or be allowed to play video games on the condition I get bored, which doesn't make sense.

Is it just me feeling like this?
Mr Greg
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Re: will be able to

Post by Mr Greg »

The condition doesn't makes sense to me.

'If you get bored, you can play video games.' - this sounds more natural
jasonlu
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Re: will be able to

Post by jasonlu »

Yes. I think "will be able to" makes it sound like I will gain the ability or the permission to play video games on the condition I get bored. Do you agree?
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TobyAdam
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Re: will be able to

Post by TobyAdam »

"Will be able to" in your sentence is grammatically correct and natural to many native speakers. It indicates that if you get bored tomorrow night, you will have the opportunity or possibility to play video games. However, if it feels awkward to you, you can simplify the sentence by saying, "If you get bored tomorrow night, you can play video games." This phrasing is equally clear and might sound more natural to you.
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